TEACHINGTECHNIQUE

“CLASSROOM POKER”
TECHNIQUE DESCRIPTION
During didactic lecture, learners will be asked questions. If the question is answered correctly, the learner will receive a card. The learner can receive five (5) cards before they can no longer receive a card for the correct question. At the end of the lecture, the learner with the best five (5) card poker hand wins a prize.
Instructions:
  • Instructor shuffles the cards and explains the activity. For larger classes, multiple decks may be used.
  • As the instructor asks questions and learners answer, they are allowed to pick a card from the deck.
  • Continue this method until lecture is completed or cards are distributed.
  • Determine which learner has the best poker hand.
  • Debrief by asking the learners how this technique tied to the lecture (key learning points).

KEY LEARNING POINTS
This technique will challenge the learner to reinforce material covered in class, provide the instructor with an opportunity to correct any misunderstandings or misinterpretation of information, and questions may be used for discussion, providing “teachable moments.”
VARIATIONS
  • Add spice to this technique by encouraging learners to keep their hands close and not share what they have. Before determining which learner has the best hand, allow them to wager on their hand. The wager may be anything from buying coffee to taking notes for the next class for the winner. Poker chips with no monetary value (points only) may also be used. Wagers may be “raised” if desired. Once the wager is “called”, the learner reveals their hand. This adds an element of “assertiveness” to the activity.
  • If there are objections to playing poker, the game can easily be adapted to hearts, or spades. If this variation is used, once the cards are given to the students, break them up into groups/teams to finish the game as normally played

RESOURCES NEEDED
  • A deck of cards.
  • Questions directly related to the topic.
  • Poker chips, if desired for variation.
  • Prizes, if desired.

SOURCE
Paul Trotch, Instructor
Variation by: Rosanna McKinney, Master Instructor, Santa Cruz Consolidated

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